Ousted CNN Boss Jeff Zucker Spotted For First Time Since Stepping Down After Bombshell Affair Was Exposed
Jeff Zucker came out of hiding to take his first meeting after stepping down as the boss of CNN following RadarOnline.com's exposé on his affair with his number two Allison Gollust.
The 56-year-old former network executive was spotted chatting with ex-New York Times Media Columnist and editor-in-chief of Buzzfeed News Ben Smith over coffee.
According to Page Six, their sit-down took place at the hoity-toity members-only Core Club in NYC on Monday.
It's an interesting duo considering Smith has left his job to create a global news media company focused on "unbiased journalism." Observers of Zucker and Smith questioned whether the latter was interviewing the ousted CNN honcho. However, he soon put those rumors to bed.
Smith told the outlet, they were two friends "catching up." This marks the first time anyone has seen Zucker since he resigned from his position after admitting he failed to disclose his romantic relationship with Gollust.
- Megyn Kelly Slams Jeff Zucker, Allison Gollust: 'What He Did To Keep Her Near Him Will Be Even More Stunning'
- Jeff Zucker's Lover Allison Gollust Resigns From CNN After Internal Investigation Finds She Violated Company Policy With Affair
- Megyn Kelly Says There's 'Zero Chance' Jeff Zucker's Lover Allison Gollust Is Keeping Her Job, Exec On Chopping Block As Pressure Mounts For Next Firing
Following Zucker's ousting, audio of CNN's top talent leaked, which revealed they were pissed over the situation. Jake Tapper, Jim Acosta, and Kaitlan Collins were heard furiously defending their former boss in a meeting. They all agreed on one thing — fired Chris Cuomo was to blame.
RadarOnline.com broke the news about their affair last month. Their relationship surfaced as part of the investigation into Cuomo's firing and whether the axed host had broken the morality clause.
According to the contract, the clause entitles CNN to fire anyone who sullies its reputation. Cuomo is currently battling the network for his multi-million-dollar payout.
The argument is that Zucker also "sullied" CNN's reputation, allegedly helping Gollust climb the corporate ladder in the company during their secret relationship.
Megyn Kelly was quick to point out a major reason why Zucker and Gollust's secret affair could be a problem for CNN. "To those confused re: why J. Zucker’s affair w/an employee is a big deal: let’s imagine that it actually began earlier than they say. That he was sleeping w/her while promoting her up the ranks over other qualified folks. That he made her an EVP w/o disclosing any of it. Problem?" she tweeted.
Katie Couric also spoke out about witnessing Zucker and Gollust's "uncomfortable" closeness. She even questioned how Gollust got hired at CNN.